Seven individuals, including six police officers, were arrested on Wednesday, 30 October, for allegedly staging a sham passport investigation and attempting to extort millions from a Chinese-Vanuatu citizen in Thailand. The case has raised serious concerns over corruption within Thai law enforcement.
The suspects, identified by the Metropolitan Police and cyber police units, reportedly carried out a fake raid on Mr. Sai, a Chinese-Vanuatu national residing in a Bang Phli Yai estate in Samut Prakan Province. The group allegedly presented a fabricated search warrant in Thai, which Mr. Sai and his family members, unable to read Thai, mistook for an official document due to the government seal. Assisted by two interpreters, Ms. Aphatsara and Mr. Yun, who remain at large, the suspects claimed that Mr. Sai was implicated in a passport forgery case linked to an ongoing court case in Bangkok.
According to police records, after seizing electronic devices and detaining Mr. Sai, his wife, a friend, and their housekeeper, the suspects demanded 10 million USDT (digital currency), an amount that was eventually lowered to 5.6 million baht. Mr. Sai reportedly made multiple cryptocurrency transfers totaling 149,253 USDT (about $165,000) to an account belonging to Ms. Aphatsara. The suspects then coerced Mr. Sai into recording a statement asserting his innocence before returning most of the confiscated devices.
On 17 October, one of the interpreters allegedly requested an additional 700,000 baht from Mr. Sai’s friend, Mr. Wen, to reveal who had accused him, leading to a further transfer of 20,895 USDT. Realizing the fraud, Mr. Sai filed a formal complaint on 22 October, which spurred a police investigation.
The case, involving 12 perpetrators, led to the arrest of seven suspects, including senior officers from various Thai police divisions. On 28 October, three other suspects surrendered, while two others remain at large. All detained suspects have denied the charges, requesting time to submit written statements. They were granted temporary release on bail, with assets such as land provided as collateral.
This case, now under the oversight of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, will be closely examined, with investigators expected to present findings within 30 days.
